Jack McKeon’s got a word for players like Hanley Ramirez — lollygaggers. For 5 years, Hanley’s been riding the crest of natural ability. As I’ve said before about Hanley and Manny, insouciance doesn’t age well. Think about the hot girl who got all the guys in high school then lost her looks ten years later. She never had to develop a personality and, now at age thirty, she’s screwing guys in the bathroom of some bar with sawdust on the floor and hoping they’ll adopt her two kids, Bob Jr. and Bob Jr. Jr. Hanley is a hot girl with no personality. Notice how I said is, not was. He’s only 27 years old, and I don’t think he’s done yet. He’s never hit below .300, his HR/FB% is way off his career rate, he’s still stealing bases and he’s getting unlucky with balls hit into play. I don’t think his end of the year numbers are gonna look good at all, but he could easily hit .350 the rest of the way with a 12/12 2nd half. If you can get him for fifty cents on the Washington, I’d do it. Anyway, here’s some more players to buy or sell this week in fantasy baseball:

BUY

Jonny Gomes – Gomes is a mnemonic for Great Outfielder? Meh. Eerie Superior to other outfielders for a short period of time? Yeah. Okay, so not the best mnemonic.

Jason Bay – He’s been on absolute fire! *fast, side effect for a medicine commercial voice* I don’t trust his power, speed or average. He’s gotten old — fast. And, if he were anyone else but a guy that once hit 36 homers, we probably wouldn’t even pay attention. If you have an erection longer than 24 hours after picking up Bay, see a doctor.

Garrett Jones – Robot’s not hard-wired to hit lefties so you have to bench him. But Apollo Creed couldn’t get at lefties either, even with a snowball, and he did all right (until he was killed by Drago.)

Alex Presley – A Buy with two Pirates and one former in the first four names? That’s the Jeopardy question to the answer, “How do you make Razzball readers yawn?”

Cameron Maybin – It’s funny, by which I mean it’s not funny at all, some players I love when they’re prospects then when they actually start playing I realize their upside is most players’ downside. That’s so Maybin!

Desmond Jennings – According to the hash marks on the inside of my cave, Jennings will be called up within the next week or so because of his Super Two status. Now, excuse me, while I make dinner for me and my volleyball. (BTW, Jennings has been a Buy for like three weeks in a row. Watch out, deaf ears, something’s falling!)

Eric Thames – Lotta borderline outfielders this week. Or as I like to call them, bored-er line. Wocka wocka wocka!

Mike Napoli – He’s due back on monday, so that means two things: 1) Now’s the time to grab Napoli. 2) Monday’s the time to grab his Mom. “No, Ms. Napoli, I’m not drinking pineapple juice for any particular reason.” Then we’d laugh and probably discuss Napoli’s playing time.

Geovany Soto – He’s hitting for the first time all year, but on a different note — is it me or is Geovany Soto wearing makeup? Was he on the way to the theater to see The Rocky Horror Picture Show?

Chris Davis – Supposedly the Rangers are about to call him up again. Aw, geez, now someone has to change Bill James’s sheets. I’m done with Davis until he actually hits in the major leagues, but, if you’re hurting at corner infidel, go for it. He has hit something like 30 homers in 20 games in Triple-A this year.

Yuniesky Betancourt – Has two homers and two steals in the last ten games… Eh, he’s terrible, but I just picked him up in one league and I’m trying to convince myself he’s decent. Betancourt is decent! Yeah, ain’t working.

Cory Luebke – May just be a hodgepadre, but it’s worth the flyer to find out. What’s the worst that happens? A 6 IP, 2 ER start? Ooh, I guess you’re too good for that with your fancy jeans and Ed Hardy t-shirt.

Javy Guerra – Bastardo has three saves this year and he’s been the closer for like a minute — and that’s not an Urban Dictionary minute which is actually a long time. So, really who’s the bastardo in this equation? Guerra, that’s who. Yet, he’s supposedly the closer, but if Mattingly threw Elbert in there for the next save, wouldn’t surprise me in the least. Or is that would surprise me in the least? Eh, I couldn’t care less. Or is that could care less?

Antonio Bastardo – I think Charlie Manuel seriously considered Michael Stutes for the closer job, but he just had too much fun saying Antonio Bastardo’s name. (BTW, Bastardo was the 666th word of this post. We’re all damned!)

Vinnie Pestano – Chris Perez went to bereveament leave because his grandmother died. We’re sorry for his loss and hope the days off give him time to mullet over what she meant to him. Grab Pestano for some vulture saves. Or just grab him because he’s been good. His middle name should be Italy because he’s a VIP.

SELL

Adam Dunn – A few weeks ago I told you to sell him, as in trade. I think that ship’s sailed about as well as the Titanic. Depending on your leagues, it’s now time to just drop the Big Donkey Ass.

Jeremy Hellickson – His K-rate is just over 6 and his xFIP is 4.38. In other words, blech and belch. In other other words, see if you can still get something before things get worse. (Feel free to ignore this advice in keeper leagues. Assuming you do follow some of my advice.)

David Wright – “He’s due back within the next week!!! Or two.” That’s you talking to another owner in your league. “Honestly, I can’t believe I’m giving you my first round pick for Lind and Daniel Hudson. Maybe I shouldn’t play this fantasy baseball thingie — do you want me to throw in Aaron Hill?” That’s you too, then you giggle like Lisa Simpson when she’s swooning for a boy. This sell is called salvaging a rotten season from Wright. He’s never been one to just rebound immediately after an injury and he’s dealing with a back issue. So is he gonna steal knowing he’s gotta slide? Is he going to have a setback? Re-injure himself? I wouldn’t trade him for a hard candy out of your grammie’s pocketbook, but I’d explore options.

Desmond Jennings is sitting on waivers and I am salivating but….
I am in a auction keeper with 14 teams (max 4 year contracts) and I would have to drop someone from my stockpile of young bench replacements for next year. I am already one over with Tabata on the DL.
I have
Tabata
Travis Snider
Ian Desmond
Mike Trout
Lonnie Chisenhall
David Freese
Snider and Trout are both possibly getting called up soon from what I have read.
Drop one for Jennings NOW and someone else later?

Grey, you are the man! Followed your drafting advice and drafted your top rated players (those you didn’t get for your F&F Team!) in the rounds you advised. I tell everyone looking up at me in the rankings about your advice/writings, and they still don’t catch on!

Some advice from the throne of King Solomon please:
Is offering Bruce & Greinke too much for Hanley?

Always love your sense of humor, and really appreciate that you actually answer your blog for most of the stuff here!

@grey- I have tons of pitching and am looking to try and get hitters. My weakest positions are wright and daniel murphy at 3rd and J. Weeks at 2nd but I am interested in any good hitters in general. Are there any you can suggest I target? I have a lot of pitching to offer. Haren, Chacin, Cueto, Cain are all avalible to trade.Thanks

Gotta admit, it feels like since Ive held onto Wright this long (all season) and dealt with his numbers so far and prolonged absence that at this point if youve done that, you have to hold onto him. Its like being pot committed in poker, too much has been put in and the value in return wont be there to make a move with him in it as a result.

@Grey – Just turned the hot Carrasco & Wiggy into the cold Zimmerman, leaving an SP spot open. Furbush or McCarthy for a streaming two start next week? Thanks, your trade and buy/sell advice have been invaluable!

Heisey, Maybin or Jennings? Not for counting stats, but for production when they actually play, since he who will be named will just fill in for my starters when they have a day off or a tough matchup. Cheers.

Somehow, I’m solidly in the top half of a 20-team roto league despite having drafted both Wright and Morneau. Since they’ve been out my most common replacements are Alex Gordon and Smoak, respectively. If I was going to try to trade Wright, and I better off shopping for a 1B and use Smoak as UTIL or a 3B and use Gordon as OF or UTIL?

Also, is there some kind of implicit order to your buy and sell recommendations? I mean, positional needs aside, is the top guy more of a buy to you than a guy in the middle of your list? Or is it stream of consciousness recommending?

If you still own Adam Dunn at this point, don’t you hold on to him (or pick him up via FA)?

It was just 9 months ago that he finished a 3-month span of hitting 21 HRs, and while physical skills do diminish with age, they don’t just completely vanish at 31. Clearly, the psychological switch is “off” right now — and who’s to say it can’t be turned back “on”?

Like Grey said, Dunn is virtually un-trade-able right now, so literally the price to own Dunn is merely a roster spot. With the shortage of true HR power in today’s game, Dunn HAS to be worth that tiny price based on his potential alone. Is there really anyone else available in FA who has the legitimate potential to hit 20+ HRs the rest of the way?

The worst thing that could happen is that you wait for Dunn to get hot and it never comes, and you play with 22 spots instead of 23; the best thing that could happen is that Dunn merely returns to playing the way he’s been playing for 7 straight seasons and hit 20 HRs in July/Aug/Sep and wins H2H leagues.

Alright, so I’m in a 16 team H2H weekly points league, and it’s come to be that adjusted scoring in this league has made pitching more important than in standard leagues (as evidenced by the 2nd highest scorer in the league to date drafted pitchers with his first 10 picks. He obviously caught on before everyone else.). I have Espinosa at 2B, Beltre at 3B, and Prado coming off the DL. I think I’m going to be able to swing a Prado for Phil Hughes trade. Now, normally I wouldn’t make this trade, but like I said, pitching in this league is gold. I know Grey wasn’t big on Hughes at the beginning of the season, but this may be the last chance to get him before he looks good in pinstripes and his owner decides to keep him. Plus, his recent increase in velocity has me believing all will be well in the second half. I am tied for 1st in my division with the potential trader. Is it too early to expect something positive from Hughes? All I’m seeing in my head is last years Phil Hughes with the Yankees offense behind him. BTW, pitching wins is the single most important thing in this league (stupid, I know, I’m not commisioner).

I’ve got some bad matchups today but need to pitch at least two of these three guys for my H2H. I’ve got a huge ERA and WHIP lead on my opponent but need the other pitching stats. I’m thinking sit Liriano or just say screw it and pitch them all..thoughts?

i am giving up power for speed and average, which my team kinda needs .. i am also getting the better pitcher right?… will i be alright with freese and izturis at 3rd with craig having an outside shot at gaining eligibility there and is aybar that much of an upgrade at SS??

@Grey: would you not go higher than those guys? I doubt he would take someone like them, knowing the guy I’m trying to deal with. It would probably still have to be a bigger name. If it wouldn’t be beneficial to lose one of my arms for him, then I won’t even bother.

Damnit! Sat Wandy at home at against the Rangers yesterday and he dealt, therefore decided to pitch Anneabelle today and now hes getting rocked. Pretty fearsome righty heavy lineup, so should it be an Arlington only sit on non-aces against them from now on?

in my 6×6 h2h league my SPs are Hamels Haren Marcum ubaldo Baker Carp and Niese. Homer Bailey and Lowe are on the wire. I can really use an infield bat till Prado comes off DL. I’ve been offered Helton for Carp. I tried to switch it to Niese, but no go. Is Carp for Helton a fair deal or no? I could pick up one of those on the wire as a replacement. THANKS!

One more thing Grey – a gripe. This never fails – I pick up David Hernandez for Holds (yes we have that stat) and now he wil probably be the Closer with Putz on the DL. I hate to sound like ingracious, but I don’t really need him for Saves. The same thing happened with Madson during the Draft. I picked him for Holds and he ends up the Closer. I know, a good problem to have. Not when you’re in a weekly league and you need a Hold to win the Stat and stay even.

@Grey: @AL KOHOLIC: that’s what I thought. I’m actually pissed that I didn’t get in on some of that action. I’m rocking Gaby and D. Lee at 1st right now and would love to get someone like that who produces.

News/Analysis Headlines Preseason Outlook
Reyes leaves with hamstring tightness: Mets SS Jose Reyes left Saturday’s game against the Yankees in the third inning with hamstring tightness, according to MLB.com. Reyes felt tightness while beating out an infield single in the first inning and the Mets opted to remove him for precautionary reasons two innings later. Reyes stayed in the game for the second inning, before being replaced at short by Ruben Tejada in the top of the third.
(Updated 07/02/2011)
Injury Report
Hamstring – Questionable for July 3 vs. N.Y. Yankees
(Up

Yep, I really needed those 6 Ks from Colon. I’m winning my H2H 9-4 right now, but my opponent has 5 starters left and I only have two. I lead by 12 right now on Ks so I’m trying to decide if I should risk my lead in ERA and WHIP to hold on in Ks. I lead 1.73 to 2.26 on ERA and .85 to .95 on WHIP. My 2 pitchers left are Tim Hudson and Beachy so I know I can expect 6+ ks from the latter, but you can’t really expect a lot from Huddy.

I’m not expert, but Bumgarner seems like an obvious pickup over Scherzer even before he imploded today. Outside of Bum’s terrible outing last week, he’s been absolutely lights out for the last 2 months.

I simply cant take Scherzer and his lousy attitude any longer. Would you drop this idiot for Hughes? I have improved my pitching staff step by step by making a couple of good trades and FA aquisitions. I dont want to ruin it but Scherzer is not giving me any reason to keep him in there.

@Grey I’m lookin at the ww in a effort to dump Scherzer and it’s pretty slim pickins’ (yeeeaaaaah!). I really think Scherzer’s problem is between the ears and maybe a little trip to the minors would set him straight again. Getting back to the waiver: Collmenter, Karstens, Worley, Tomlin, W Davis, Arroyo…or hold?

Hope the weekend is treating you kindly! So I’ve just dealt Luebeke and received Bernadina. Good move; Yes or no? Also, Rzepcynski or Resop? Enjoy your holiday Monday Grey, and let me know if you want to cry about Mad Max together. Cool? ;)

10 Team 5×5. I’m trailing games started badly. My wins and k’s are low but I don’t want to bork my era/whip to catch up. Picked up Garza and Stauffer recently. Is that enough in your opinion, or should I try to trade for a Hamels-type?
Kershaw, Zimmerman, Beachy, Gio G., Garza, Stauffer.

Who do you guys like better today…Moreland v Fla (Vaszquez) or Hosmer @ Col (Hammel)?

Didn’t see the PPD on the yankees v mets until after the start time so I’m already stuck with an empty spot in my roster. I’m in a tight match on runs and RBIs so I really need this final spot to deliver something.

@Grey: Hurricane CT is definitely in the forecast, just not sure it’s gonna’ be a Cat 5. He appears more… sane, like he’s had some therapy in the off-season. Hopefully it’s not something a quart of liquor can’t fix.

@Grey: Oh, and my bad… I forgot to mention that Chisenhall is another 3B option for me right now. That’s who I’m tempted to go with, but my lineup is already sporting Hosmer, LoMo, Moustakas, and Jennings… perhaps a bit heavy on the creme de la upside.